prophets and kings-第65章
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surrounding the throne of God； 〃The whole earth is full of His glory。〃 Isaiah 6：3。 And his faith was strengthened by visions of glorious conquests by the church of God； when 〃the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord； as the waters cover the sea。〃 Isaiah 11：9。 〃The face of the covering cast over all people； and the veil that is spread over all nations；〃 was finally to be destroyed。 Isaiah 25：7。 The Spirit of God was to be poured out upon all flesh。 Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness were to be numbered among the Israel of God。 〃They shall spring up as among the grass； as willows by the watercourses；〃 said the prophet。 〃One shall say； I am the Lord's； and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob； and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord； and surname himself by the name of Israel。〃 Isaiah 44：4； 5。
To the prophet was given a revelation of the beneficent design of God in scattering impenitent Judah among the
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nations of earth。 〃My people shall know My name；〃 the Lord declared； 〃they shall know in that day that I am He that doth speak。〃 Isaiah 52：6。 And not only were they themselves to learn the lesson of obedience and trust； in their places of exile they were also to impart to others a knowledge of the living God。 Many from among the sons of the strangers were to learn to love Him as their Creator and their Redeemer； they were to begin the observance of His holy Sabbath day as a memorial of His creative power； and when He should make 〃bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations；〃 to deliver His people from captivity； 〃all the ends of the earth〃 should see of the salvation of God。 Verse 10。 Many of these converts from heathenism would wish to unite themselves fully with the Israelites and accompany them on the return journey to Judea。 None of these were to say； 〃The Lord hath utterly separated me from His people〃 （Isaiah 56：3）； for the word of God through His prophet to those who should yield themselves to Him and observe His law was that they should thenceforth be numbered among spiritual IsraelHis church on earth。
〃The sons of the stranger； that join themselves to the Lord； to serve Him； and to love the name of the Lord； to be His servants； everyone that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it； and taketh hold of My covenant； even them will I bring to My holy mountain； and make them joyful in My house of prayer： their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon Mine altar； for Mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people。 The Lord God which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith； Yet will
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I gather others to Him； beside those that are gathered unto Him。〃 Verses 6…8。
The prophet was permitted to look down the centuries to the time of the advent of the promised Messiah。 At first he beheld only 〃trouble and darkness； dimness of anguish。〃 Isaiah 8：22。 Many who were longing for the light of truth were being led astray by false teachers into the bewildering mazes of philosophy and spiritism； others were placing their trust in a form of godliness； but were not bringing true holiness into the life practice。 The outlook seemed hopeless； but soon the scene changed； and before the eyes of the prophet was spread a wondrous vision。 He saw the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings； and； lost in admiration； he exclaimed： 〃The dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation； when at the first He lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali； and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea； beyond Jordan； in Galilee of the nations。 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light： they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death； upon them hath the light shined。〃 Isaiah 9：1；2。
This glorious Light of the world was to bring salvation to every nation； kindred； tongue； and people。 Of the work before Him； the prophet heard the eternal Father declare： 〃It is a light thing that Thou shouldest be My servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob； and to restore the preserved of Israel： I will also give Thee for a light to the Gentiles； that Thou mayest be My salvation unto the end of the earth。〃 〃In an acceptable time have I heard Thee； and in a day of
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salvation have I helped Thee： and I will preserve Thee； and give Thee for a covenant of the people； to establish the earth； to cause to inherit the desolate heritages； that Thou mayest say to the prisoners； Go forth； to them that are in darkness； Show yourselves。〃 〃Behold； these shall come from far： and； lo； these from the north and from the west； and these from the land of Sinim。〃 Isaiah 49：6； 8；9；12。
Looking on still farther through the ages； the prophet beheld the literal fulfillment of these glorious promises。 He saw the bearers of the glad tidings of salvation going to the ends of the earth； to every kindred and people。 He heard the Lord saying of the gospel church； 〃Behold； I will extend peace to her like a river； and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream；〃 and he heard the commission； 〃Enlarge the place of thy tent； and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations： spare not； lengthen thy cords； and strengthen thy stakes； for thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left； and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles。〃 Isaiah 66：12； 54：2； 3。
Jehovah declared to the prophet that He would send His witnesses 〃unto the nations； to Tarshish； Pul； and Lud； 。 。 。 to Tubal； and Javan； to the isles afar off。〃 Isaiah 66：19。 〃How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings； That publisheth peace； That bringeth good tidings of good； That publisheth salvation； That saith unto Zion； Thy God reigneth！〃 Isaiah 52：7。
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The prophet heard the voice of God calling His church to her appointed work； that the way might be prepared for the ushering in of His everlasting kingdom。 The message was unmistakably plain：
〃Arise； shine； for thy light is come； And the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee。
〃For； behold； the darkness shall cover the earth； And gross darkness the people： But the Lord shall arise upon thee； And His glory shall be seen upon thee。 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light； And kings to the brightness of thy rising。
〃Lift up thine eyes round about； and see： All they gather themselves together； they come to thee： Thy sons shall come from far； And thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side。〃
〃And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls； And their kings shall minister unto thee： For in My wrath I smote thee； But in My favor have I had mercy on thee。 Therefore thy gates shall be open continually； They shall not be shut day nor night； That men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles； And that their kings may be brought。〃
〃Look unto Me； and be ye saved； all the ends of the earth： For I am God； and there is none else。〃 Isaiah 60：1…4； 10； 11；45：22。
These prophecies of a great spiritual awakening in a time of gross darkness are today meeting fulfillment in the advancing lines of mission stations that are reaching out into the benighted regions of earth。 The groups of missionaries in heathen lands have been likened by the prophet to ensigns
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set up for the guidance of those who are looking for the light of truth。
〃In that day；〃 says Isaiah； 〃there shall be a root of Jesse； which shall stand for an ensign of the people； to it shall the Gentiles seek： and his rest shall be glorious。 And it shall come to pass in that day； that the Lord shall set His hand again the second time to recover the remnant of His people。 。 。 。 And He shall set up an ensign for the nations； and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel； and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth。〃 Isaiah 11：10…12。
The day of deliverance is at hand。 〃Th
